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The
capital of the state of Madhya Prades h,
has grown around a large lake, the ornamental newer part of
the city being roughly opposite the labyrinthine lanes of the
old town. Craft - notably velvet handbags studded with stones,
and lacy silverwork - is practised in narrow alleyways that
lead off from domed mosques in the old city. Bharat Bhavan is
a showcase of Indian art, folk traditions, sculpture and a
centre for the performing arts as well. Bhimbetka, a few
hours' drive from Bhopal, is the site for spectacular cave
paintings; Udaygiri, another excursion from Bhopal, has
notable cave sculptures of religious themes. Sanchi is an
unmatched repository of Buddhist art and architecture. Located
on a secluded hill crowned by a group of stupas and gateways,
it occupies a unique position in the history of Buddhism. Its
stupas, chaityas, temples, monasteries and gateways are
embellished by the most delicate carvings that depict various
incidents in the Buddha's life as well as important teachings.
Good guide services, an essential part of sightseeing in
Sanchi, are available here. A 90 km drive from Indore takes
one across a narrow gorge, after the horizon widens abruptly,
to reveal the deserted city of Mandu. Built as a testament of
love by a Muslim ruler for his Hindu queen, Mandu's air of,
serenity and spaciousness offsets to perfection its palaces,
temple and mosque, which lie, scattered over the 75 km of
Mandu's fortified area. Most interesting of all is the
imaginative use that has been made of the surroundings. Thus
Jahaz Mahal or Ship Palace is actually built in a pond on
which it appears to float, and Hindola Mahal or Swing Palace
gives every appearance of living up to its name.
How
to get there
Air
Bhopal
is connected by air with Bombay,Delhi,Gwalior,Indore &
Raipur
Rail
Bhopal
on the main line is connected by rail to major cities in
India.
Road
Good
motorable roads connect Bhopal to Bombay-789 km,
Aurangabad-588 km, Ahmedabad-571 km, Agra-523 km, Delhi-728
km, Gwalior-422 km, Indore-187 km, Ujjain-189 km, Sanchi-46
km, Khajuraho-387 km, Mandu- 290 km, Pachmarhi-210 km etc.
In
and around
Taj-ul-Masjid
One of the biggest mosque of India, was built by Shahjahan
Begum in 1868 but was left incomplete. It contains an
impressive hall, inter-arched roof with three white domes,
broad facade, domed minarets and a spacious courtyard.
Jama
Masjid
Built by Begum Qudasia in 1837, this mosque of Bhopal with its
tall minarets crowned by glittering golden spikes, is also
surrounded by a bazar. Moti Masjid 4.5 km, yet another mosque
which is architecturally akin to Delhi's Jama Masjid. It
contains two dark red minarets crowned by golden glittering
spikes.
Bharat
Bhawan
One of the unique institutions and center for performing and
visiual arts. Roopankar is the museum of fine arts at Bharat
Bhawan.
Upper
and Lower Lake
The upper lake, a larger expanse of water measuring 2 sq km.
in area is seperated from the lower and lesser lake by an over
bridge. There is a boat club which offers facilities for
sailing, paddling and motor-boat rides, even canoeing,
kayaking, windsurfing.
Vidisha,
Udaygiri and Gyaraspur
The cradle of Mauryan civilization and the rocks on which the
tide of ancient Grecian conquest broke. The exquisite
sculptured Salbhanjika, or devine attendant of the gods, is
preserved here.
Bhojpur
and Bhimbetka
Bhojpur 28 km and Bhimbetka 40 km, Bhojpur is an 11th century
town. The remains of the ancient Shiva temple and a Cyclopean
Dam are points of interest. Bhimbetka, of rocky terrain dense
forest and craggy cliffs hids over 600 rock shelters with
Neolithic paintings.
Panchmari
95 km is a hill resort with dramatic waterfalls, ravines,
rivers, rock paintings and English churches
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